Story by
"It was traumatic for me" - Darryn Peterson on being hospitalized due to full-body cramps
- Story by
- "It was traumatic for me" - Darryn Peterson on being hospitalized due to full-body cramps
The mystery surrounding Darryn Peterson and his frequent absences from the NCAA courts finally seems to have an answer, after media and fans heavily speculated about what was really happening to the 6-foot-6 guard.
The Kansas Jayhawks standout looked phenomenal every time he stepped on the floor, but he faced criticism for missing 11 games so far, and even when he did play, he was often on what seemed like a minutes restriction.
Advertisement
All of that has significantly impacted his status as a projected No. 1 overall pick, but it appears that Shreyas Laddha of "The Kansas City Star" uncovered the real reason behind his struggles.
"I had like a full-body (cramp), super serious," Peterson said . "You could say it was traumatic. I would say it was a traumatic experience. As much as I want to say I wasn't (thinking about that experience) . It was traumatic for me."
Nightmare season
The 19-year-old ended up in the hospital multiple times in what he described as unbearable pain, eventually receiving two bags of IV fluids.
Advertisement
While he did miss games due to minor hamstring and ankle issues, and even illness, it was the cramps that truly turned this season into a nightmare for him.
"Definitely frustrating. I was doing all types of tests and stuff on my body and everything was coming back normal," Peterson said. "It definitely frustrated me, just not knowing what was going on, but I had to try stuff."
At one point, many began to question whether it was load management, something almost unheard of for a college player trying to establish himself as a future star and a potential No. 1 pick.
Advertisement
But it became clear that Peterson himself didn't fully understand what was happening with his body.
All of that sheds light on the strange scenes this season, where one of the top guard prospects of his generation would pull himself from games at the first hint of a cramp. The subconscious fear of winding up back in the hospital was overwhelming, and the Ohio native wasn't willing to take any chances.
"It didn't change anything. If I could have finished the games, I would have," Peterson said. "I mean, it was just a coach trying to challenge me, I guess. If I could have finished, I would have been."
Advertisement
Can Peterson lead Kansas to the title?
Meanwhile, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer have emerged as serious contenders for the No. 1 pick, as many NBA scouts remain concerned about Peterson's long-term durability.
Still, it's clear to everyone that he's a generational talent worth betting on because every time he stepped on the court, he looked like an NBA-ready player and someone who has already outgrown the college level.
Recently, Peterson has been playing more consistently, though his efficiency has dipped. Still, no one would be surprised if he leads his team on a deep March Madness run — because he's that good.
Advertisement
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
